title: Risperidone in children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorder: pilot trial and follow-up.
abstract: Dopamine receptor antagonists, particularly haloperidol, have been the most effective medications in currently available double-blind placebo-controlled studies for treating the disruptive behaviors often associated with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). The rationale for trying risperidone in this population includes its dopamine-blocking activity; its seemingly lower incidence of tardive dyskinesia when compared to standard neuroleptics; the possibility that risperidone may ameliorate the social withdrawal of PDD, as it does the negative symptoms in schizophrenia; and substantial effects on serotonergic neurotransmission, which has been shown to be dysregulated in some patients with PDD. This study was an open-label pilot trial of risperidone in 6 subjects (aged 7-14 years, mean = 10.7) who met DSM-III-R criteria for a PDD diagnosis. The mean optimal dose was 2.7 mg daily (range 1-6). Mean duration of risperidone administration was 5.2 months (range 1-8). Despite the small sample size, risperidone treatment appeared to be associated with significant improvements in ratings of angry affect (p = 0.04) and lability of affect (p = 0.03) and with a trend (p = 0.10) toward a reduction of mean hyperactivity scores. Clinical Global Improvement scale ratings were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Increased sociability was reported in 3 subjects by their parents and family following the study. Three patients continued on risperidone for over 2 years, and none showed any loss of its apparent therapeutic effects. Weight gain was observed in 5 of 6 patients, with a median increase of 5.4 kg (12 lbs) in 7 weeks. Other side effects included transient sedation, increased salivation, and stereotypies. One child showed a worsening of pre-existing tic and phobic symptoms after 5 months of successful monotherapy. No loss of therapeutic effect was noted in the 3 subjects who remained on risperidone for over 2 years, but 1 patient developed hepatotoxicity and another developed withdrawal dyskinesia, similar to her prior experience with haloperidol. Overall, 5 of the 6 patients derived significant clinical benefits from risperidone. Pharmacologic alternatives for treating behavioral symptoms in PDD are need, and risperidone may be a promising possibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, New York University Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pataki
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Munoz-Silva
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Armenteros
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000786:Anger; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D018967:Risperidone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D018967:Risperidone